Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1887-04-14
Small Fruit Cultivation.
CONCLUDED.

Gregg, for late. and Tyler for early.
Red Turner early, Cuthbert, and
Schaflers Colossal. late. II you don't
like fighting root sprouts of red rasp-
berries, plant Schaffer's. Its an excel
lent berry of high flavor, and does not
sprout; propagates from tips like the
black.
OF blackberries, l have the Snider. of
which you all know, but have struck
something better. in variety called the
Wachusette, or Thornless. 1t is almost
free from thorns, good bearer, of ex-
cellent quality, is easily handled and
laid down, as the canes are hard and
pliable.
Dewberries:-Have planted the Lu-
cretia. Have not fruited yet, but think
it will be a success.
Covering as above described, serves
more than one purpose, 1t drains the
ground by leaving dead-furrow be-
tween the rows. 1t puts the ground in
excellent shape for the frost to pulver
ize it during the winter. 1t protects
the vines from the ravages of field mice
and severe freezing. Try it once and
see how fresh your plants will come out
in the spring. and then the nice fruit
you will have, and l am satisfied you
will never leave your canes or vines
you cared for during the summer to the
mercy of the cold waves that that strike
us too often during our long winters.
| Would you leave nice full-blooded
calf you raised during the summer, out
doors all winter to freeze to death? No,
not for anything. Neither should you
let your plants perish that you raised
with the same care and from which you
would derive just as much good.
GRAPES
The ground should be we'll prepared.
Would not recommend fresh stable
manure; old. we'll rotted manure, chip
manure, or compost, should be used.
Ground strong enough to raise good
corn, is rich enough for grapes. Plant
rows feet apart and s feet apart in the
row. Dig holes from s to 10 inches
deep, and long enough to receive the
whole length of the roots you are going
to plant. Throw some fine soil in the
bottom of the hole. Straighten out the
roots of the plant. Let the roots run
all one way. Set stake to one end of
the hole to which tie the top of the plant.
leaving but one or two buds nearly even
with the ground. Then fill up with
fine dirt. If possible leave two vines
grow the first season, tie them to the
stake as soon as they are long enough.
When about two feet long, pinch
them back. Keep the ground free
from weeds. When the leaves are off,
lay down and cover as before described.
The second year let two vines grow
on each one you raised the first year.
Keep them tied to the stake. When
about 5 feet high pinch back. Proceed
I
in the Fall as before In the spring of
the third year comes your time to pre-
pare your vineyard for business. l
should recommend wire trellis as the
most practical for vineyard purposes.
When vines are uncovered set posts
that will last good while in the
ground, deep enough to withstand
heavy wind storms, 6 feet high above
the ground, 16 feet or less apart in the
rows. Arrange so as to put post al
ways between two vines. Stretch three
No. II wires feet apart, commencing
feet above the ground Ct suppose
you all know how to put on wire)
Then tie up the vines with soft Irvine,
leaving two bearing vines to each main
stalk or vine. Bend the main stocks
in opposite directions so as to slant
equal to an angle of 45 degrees. /
recommend two vines to each hill for
the reason they can be kept more
slender and pliable, and keeping them
on a slant they can be more easily bent
down for covering without breaking
them. When all the vines are tied up,
level your ground Cultivate enough
to keep weeds down. AS soon as
young vines or shoots appear (not
meaning the fruit latterals, where YOU
see fruit Duds) rub off all but what
you want for bearing your next crop,
say three or four to each main vine
Keep them tied to the wires so that
the wind cannot break them off, which
it often does if they are unsupported.
| Do not disturb your vines while in
| blossom. After fruit is set and YOU
want to do any summer pruning,
which is not advisable in all cases,
pinch the fruit-bearing latterals back
to the second joint, beyond the last
bunch of fruit. Never pruue too close
ly so as to expose the fruit too much to
the rays of thessun. Grapes mature
best in the shade of their own leaves
In the Fall after the leaves are off, cut
loose from the vines. Cut out ali old
wood, leaving from three to four young
vines to leach main vine. Lay them
down and cover. The next or fourth
year you can expect full crop of fruit
In all kinds of fruit where the location
permits, the rows should run north and
south.
Grape raising must be learned by
practice and it takes only good will
and common sense to learn it. II is no
more of trick to raise grapes than it
is to raise potatoes. All know about
raising fruit | learned by practice.
When / commenced raising fruit L
did not know any more about it than
the school bov, but | wanted fruit: